Latin America Triumphs at the Cusqueña Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants on LA Magazine's Digest

Latin America's Big 3: Gaston Acurio(Lima, Peru-Astrid y Gaston); Alex Atala(São Paulo, Brasil-D.O.M.); and Enrique Olvera(Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico-Pujol)

Yes, I watched this historical event on streaming video here in L.A. from my laptop as many friends, acquaintances, and chefs whose restaurants I've dined at in my many travels throughout Latin America took their bows at the 1st annual Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants.

The top 3 were predictable, and it was no surprise that Peruvian and Mexican cuisine had a strong presence on this coveted list. Sadly, many of the restaurants featured international cuisine--also predictable when such lists are made--and, there were some rather lame entries that had many of us Latin America regulars puzzled.

Overall, this was a validation of Latin America as a world class dining destination for fine dining. Here are some thoughts on the awards on my latest for the Los Angeles Magazine Digest.

 The List
1. Astrid y Gastón, Lima, Perú
2. D.O.M., São Paulo, Brasil
3. Pujol, México City, México
4. Central, Lima, Perú
5. Mani, São Paulo, Brasil
6. Biko, México City, México
7. Malabar, Lima, Perú
8. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
9. Tegui, Buenos Aires, Argentina
10. Roberta Sudbrack, Rio De Janeiro, Brasil
11. Maido, Lima, Perú
12. Pangea, Monterrey, México
13.Rafael, Lima, Perú
14. Fiesta, Lima, Perú 
15. La Mar, Lima, Perú
16. Mocotó, São Paulo, Brasil
17. La Cabrera, Buenos Aires, Argentina
18. Tomo 1, Buenos Aires, Argentina
19. Criterión Bogotá, Colombia
20. Parador La Huella, José Ignacio, Uruguay
21. Quintonil, México City, México
22. Harry Sasson, Bogotá, Colombia
23. Fasano, São Paulo, Brasil
24. Andrés Carne de Res, Chia, Colombia
25. Alto Caracas, Venezuela
26. Merotoro, México City, México
27. Oviedo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
28. Chila, Buenos Aires, Argentina
29. Sucre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
30. Corazón de Tierra, Valle de Guadalupe, México
31. Aramburu, Buenos Aires, Argentina
32. Attimo, São Paulo, Brasil
33. PuraTierra Buenos Aires, Argentina
34. Casa Oaxaca Hotel, Oaxaca, México
35. Olympe, Rio De Janeiro, Brasil
36. Sud 777, México City, México
37. Francis Mallmann 1884, Mendoza, Argentina
38. Remanso do Bosque, Belém, Brasil
39. El Baqueano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
40. Unik, Buenos Aires, Argentina

41. Epice, São Paulo, Brasil

42. La Bourgogne, Punta del Este, Uruguay

43. Pitiona, Oaxaca, México

44. Paraje Arévalo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

45. Casa Umare, Buenos Aires, Argentina

46. Laja Valle de Guadalupe, México

47. El Cielo Bogotá, Colombia

48. Osaka, Santiago, Chile

49. Hernán Gipponi Restaurante, Buenos Aires, Argentina

50. Elena, Buenos Aires, Argentina